Isla Bennett
While there is no proven way to make nails grow faster, there are several natural remedies that can help strengthen nails and promote growth. A well-balanced diet is the most important factor in nail growth, and consuming a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients can help improve nail health. For instance, vitamin C, vitamin E, and folate are all essential for nail growth. Certain herbs, such as nettle leaf and horsetail, are also known to promote nail growth due to their high concentrations of nail-strengthening vitamins and minerals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Herbs | Nettle leaf, Horsetail |
| Minerals | Calcium, Zinc, Iron |
| Vitamins | Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin B7 (Biotin), Vitamin B12, Folate |
| Other | Essential Fatty Acids (Omega-3, Omega-6, Omega-9), Honey, Lemon juice, Apple cider vinegar, Garlic, Coconut oil, Olive oil, Beer |
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What You'll Learn
Nettles and horsetail tea
While there is no proven way to help nails grow faster, certain remedies can strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, thus improving overall health for optimum growth. One such remedy is the use of nettles and horsetail tea.
Nettles are a great source of calcium, one of the most abundant minerals in the body, including in the nails. Horsetail, on the other hand, is a fern that contains many beneficial compounds, notably antioxidants and silica. Horsetail tea is believed to be responsible for improving skin, nail, hair, and bone health. It has been used as an herbal remedy for centuries, dating back to the Greek and Roman Empires.
The tea is made by steeping dried nettles and horsetail herbs in hot water. For the best experience, steep one tea bag of the herbal tea blend in hot water for 2-5 minutes. Drink daily as part of your beauty regimen to see optimal results.
It is important to note that horsetail tea has been associated with a reported thiaminase activity, which can lead to vitamin B1 deficiency with long-term intake or for those with low vitamin B1 levels. Hence, pregnant and breastfeeding people, individuals with low vitamin B1 levels, kidney disease, or those taking antiretroviral drugs should refrain from consuming it.
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Lemon juice and olive oil
To use lemon juice to improve your nail health, simply dab a cotton pad soaked in lemon juice onto each nail and let it dry. You can even rub a slice of lemon directly onto your nails. Do this twice a week, followed by a rich moisturizer, as lemon juice can be drying. Lemon juice can also be combined with olive oil to create a nourishing nail mask.
To make a lemon juice and olive oil nail mask, start by combining a few drops of lemon juice with two tablespoons of olive oil. Warm the mixture in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Massage the warm oil onto your nails and cuticles for five to ten minutes. Put on some cotton gloves and leave them on overnight. For the best results, repeat this process daily.
In addition to lemon juice and olive oil, there are other natural remedies that can help improve nail health and promote growth. Maintaining a well-balanced diet that includes essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, and proteins is crucial for nail growth. Regular nail grooming, such as trimming and filing, can also help prevent breakage and splitting, allowing your nails to grow longer and stronger.
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Vitamin E oil
One popular product that contains Vitamin E oil is Sally Hansen's Vitamin E Nail & Cuticle Oil. This product is well-liked by customers, who report positive effects on their nails and cuticles, noting that it helps them grow faster and become stronger, while making them look healthier. The oil is also praised for its ease of use and quick absorption, leaving no greasy residue.
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Zinc-rich foods
While there is no proven way to help nails grow faster, various remedies can strengthen nails and prevent them from breaking, thus giving them the best chance of healthy growth. A well-balanced diet is key to promoting nail growth, and providing your body with nutrition is the most important thing you can do.
Zinc is one such nutrient that plays a vital role in the body, and a lack of it may affect nail growth. Zinc-rich foods include:
- Oysters, which have the highest zinc content of any food. Six medium oysters provide 33 mg of zinc, which equates to 300% of the daily value (DV) for males and 413% for females.
- Beef, especially raw ground beef, which provides 44%–60% of the DV. A 3-ounce serving of a beef chuck roast gives you 8.44 milligrams of zinc.
- Other red meats, such as pork chops, which provide a good amount of zinc along with iron.
- Shellfish, including crab, shrimp, mussels, and lobster. A serving of 3 ounces of Alaskan king crab contains 6.48 milligrams of zinc, which is 59% DV for males and 95% for females.
- Seeds, including hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, squash seeds, sesame seeds, and pine nuts, which contain significant amounts of zinc along with other nutrients.
- Nuts, such as cashews, almonds, and peanuts, which can boost your zinc intake.
- Fortified cereals, which contain higher levels of zinc.
- Beans, which are a good plant-based source of zinc.
- Dark chocolate, which contains reasonable amounts of zinc. A 100-gram bar of 70%–85% dark chocolate contains 3.31 mg of zinc, or 30% of the DV for males and 41% for females. However, it should not be relied on as a primary source of zinc due to its high sugar and calorie content.
It is important to note that zinc deficiency is rare in the US, and it is hard to consume too much zinc from food alone. However, if you are considering taking a zinc supplement, be sure to consult your doctor first as it can decrease the effectiveness of certain drugs, and excessive zinc intake can lead to adverse side effects.
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Calcium-rich foods
Calcium is one of the most abundant minerals in the body, including the nails. Calcium-rich foods include dairy products, sesame seeds, leafy greens, nettles, canned salmon and sardines with bones, tofu, blackstrap molasses, almonds, and calcium-fortified foods. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and yogurt are especially high in calcium, but many non-dairy sources are available.
Some specific calcium-rich foods include:
- Salmon and sardines: Canned salmon and sardines with bones are excellent sources of calcium.
- Tofu: Tofu is a calcium-rich plant-based option.
- Leafy greens: Leafy greens such as spinach are rich in calcium, but their oxalate content reduces calcium absorption.
- Sesame seeds: Sesame seeds are tiny nutritional powerhouses, providing protein, healthy fats, and calcium.
- Dairy: Milk, cheese, and yogurt are dairy products that are particularly high in calcium.
- Fortified foods: Fortified foods like cereals can help meet daily calcium needs.
In addition to calcium, a well-balanced diet that includes protein, water, fruits, vegetables, vitamins, and minerals is essential for healthy nail growth. Essential fatty acids like omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 are critical for nourishing the skin, hair, and nails. Moisturizing the hands and nails can also help promote nail growth by preventing dryness and brittleness.
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Frequently asked questions
While there is no proven way to help nails grow, certain herbs can strengthen nails and help prevent them from breaking, giving them the best chance of healthy growth. These include nettle leaf and horsetail, which can be steeped in hot water to make tea.
Maintaining nail health can help promote faster nail growth. This includes regular nail grooming, keeping nails filed, and moisturising hands and nails.
A well-balanced diet is the most important thing to promote nail growth. This includes consuming enough protein, vitamins, minerals, and water. Specific foods that can help nails grow include eggs, salmon, beans, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and citrus fruits.
Vitamins A, C, D, and E are all important for nail growth. Vitamin A can be found in orange and yellow vegetables, while citrus fruits are a good source of vitamin C. Vitamin D can be found in eggs, and vitamin E can be massaged into nails and cuticles.
In addition to nettle leaf and horsetail, garlic can help promote nail growth. It is rich in selenium, which can be absorbed by rubbing garlic on your fingernails or using garlic oil as a nail mask.
